SWAC WBB Quarterfinals: Dobbins sets NCAA record, PV def. JSU

PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas - Shala Dobbins etched her name into NCAA history, scoring 29 points in leading Prairie View A&M (15-15) to a 66-64 victory over fifth-seeded Jackson State (15-13) Tuesday night at the William J. Nicks Babydome.

Dobbins came into the contest needing to make four free throws to break the previous record of 280 free throws made, set by Kent State's Larissa Lurken. Dobbins knocked down all 14 of her tries from the line, setting the new record at 291. The 2017-18 Newcomer of the Year also grabbed five rebounds. 2017-18 Freshman of the Year Jhyrah Cobb added 11 points and corralled 21 rebounds, and Dominique Newman scored 10 points and dished out four assists.

Down 52-47 heading into the fourth, Dobbins scored eight points over the first five minutes of the quarter to cap a 13-5 Prairie View run that tied the game at 58. Newman layed one home to give Prairie View the lead, but Jackson State responded in kind. After Derica Wiggins cashed in on a lay-up to tie matters at 62 with 1:13 left, Dobbins scored the go-ahead lay-up with 1:03 left, later knocking down two free throws to seal it.

Jackson State asserted itself early on, scoring 10 of the first 12 points in the game. However, Cobb was the difference as the period came to a closer, scoring six points during an 8-0 PVAMU run that allowed the Lady Panthers to knot things up going into the second. A back-and-fort affair early in the frame, Ellis knocked down a three-ball and later converted from close range to spark Jackson State down the stretch. At the break, JSU led 29-25.

Prairie View was forced into catch-up mode during the third, and when Dobbins converted both ends of a foul line trip to bring PVAMU within one (39-38) at the midway point, Hamer, Chelsea Causey and Kawaii Perry fueled an 11-2 run that put Jackson State ahead 50-40 with just over 2:00 left in the third. The Lady Panthers closed to within five to end the frame, setting the stage for their eventual comeback win.

Prairie View will take on #1 Southern in the first SWAC women's semifinal on Friday at noon in the Delmar Fieldhouse.